Police seek driver who hit bicyclist, left scene

Published: Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 4:36 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 4:36 p.m.

Seventy-three-year-old John Riester said he was pedaling home Wednesday afternoon when a car abruptly turned in front of him at an intersection on Wrightsville Avenue.

The ensuing collision sent Riester tumbling over his bicycle’s handle bars. His head slammed into the car window before he landed on the pavement, shattering his wrist.

What angered Riester was not only the crash itself, but that when he looked up, the car was speeding away.

Patrol officers are looking for the car, a newer model silver Nissan Altima with damage to its left side rear door, in connection with the hit-and-run that happened about 3:10 p.m. at Wrightsville and MacMillan avenues, said Wilmington Police Department spokesman Kevin Smith.

Riester, who contacted the StarNews hoping news about the incident would help catch the crook, said he had set out earlier that day from his home in Wrightsville Beach and rode his bike to Carolina Beach. He was on his way back when the collision occurred.

After the crash, police sent out a be-on-the-lookout for the car, but were unable to locate it. Riester did not see whether the driver was a man or woman.

Riester sustained several injuries, including cuts and bruises and road rash. But worse is his broken wrist. He said he plans on driving Friday to Louisville, Ky., to have his wrist operated on at a special clinic.

Riester described himself as an avid cyclist and said he also is upset that the crash ruined his $3,000 bike.

“I like to ride long distances even though I’m an old guy,” he said. But the bike, he said, “was pretty demolished.”

Police ask anyone with information about the hit-and-run to call them at 343-3600.

<p>Seventy-three-year-old John Riester said he was pedaling home Wednesday afternoon when a car abruptly turned in front of him at an intersection on Wrightsville Avenue.</p><p>The ensuing collision sent Riester tumbling over his bicycle's handle bars. His head slammed into the car window before he landed on the pavement, shattering his wrist. </p><p>What angered Riester was not only the crash itself, but that when he looked up, the car was speeding away. </p><p>Patrol officers are looking for the car, a newer model silver Nissan Altima with damage to its left side rear door, in connection with the hit-and-run that happened about 3:10 p.m. at Wrightsville and MacMillan avenues, said Wilmington Police Department spokesman Kevin Smith. </p><p>Riester, who contacted the StarNews hoping news about the incident would help catch the crook, said he had set out earlier that day from his home in Wrightsville Beach and rode his bike to Carolina Beach. He was on his way back when the collision occurred. </p><p>After the crash, police sent out a be-on-the-lookout for the car, but were unable to locate it. Riester did not see whether the driver was a man or woman. </p><p>Riester sustained several injuries, including cuts and bruises and road rash. But worse is his broken wrist. He said he plans on driving Friday to Louisville, Ky., to have his wrist operated on at a special clinic. </p><p>Riester described himself as an avid cyclist and said he also is upset that the crash ruined his $3,000 bike.</p><p>“I like to ride long distances even though I'm an old guy,” he said. But the bike, he said, “was pretty demolished.” </p><p>Police ask anyone with information about the hit-and-run to call them at 343-3600. </p><p><a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9904"><b>Brian Freskos</b></a>: 343-2327</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @BrianFreskos</p>